Francheska Velazquez
Play to Learn Childcare
The Backstory
Cindy Navarro’s journey to becoming the owner of CNCO Design Studio was uncharted, driven by her natural creativity and passion for digital design. Initially dabbling in graphic design and social media content in 2016, Cindy never expected her skills would evolve into a full-fledged business. Her big break came in 2018 when she volunteered to help with a website for Jahana Hayes’ congressional campaign in Connecticut. The success of that project – including the campaign’s eventual induction into the Library of Congress – solidified Cindy’s path to web design. She went on to work as a press secretary for Congress, managing digital communications, and later transitioned into nonprofit work. By 2022, requests for web design services from local nonprofits led Cindy to take a leap of faith and officially establish CNCO Design Studio in November 2023.
Before diving into web design, Cindy’s professional background was in customer service and sales, but she always yearned for more creative freedom. With the birth of her son in 2022, Cindy realized that her previous roles left little time for family, creativity, or self-care. This realization drove her to focus on building a business that would give her the flexibility and control she craved. CNCO Design Studio was born out of this need for balance, and it has allowed Cindy to combine her passion for creativity with a commitment to helping nonprofits and small businesses amplify their missions through strategic, user-friendly websites. Her personalized approach sets her apart from other web designers, ensuring clients not only receive a beautiful website but also the tools to succeed and grow online.
Before diving into web design, Cindy’s professional background was in customer service and sales, but she always yearned for more creative freedom. With the birth of her son in 2022, Cindy realized that her previous roles left little time for family, creativity, or self-care. This realization drove her to focus on building a business that would give her the flexibility and control she craved. CNCO Design Studio was born out of this need for balance, and it has allowed Cindy to combine her passion for creativity with a commitment to helping nonprofits and small businesses amplify their missions through strategic, user-friendly websites. Her personalized approach sets her apart from other web designers, ensuring clients not only receive a beautiful website but also the tools to succeed and grow online.
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
Cindy believes her experience with the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has been transformative for both her and CNCO Design Studio. Introduced to WBDC in December 2023 by a trusted source, Cindy quickly found her footing with the guidance of a WBDC business advisor, who encouraged her to enroll in the organization’s GPS (Guide to Plan for Success) course. Cindy considers the course a game-changer, helping her develop a comprehensive business plan that became a vital tool for her business growth. It also enabled her to secure a WBDC Launch Pad Grant, which provided her the resources to safeguard her business legally and streamline her financial organization. As WBDC continued to provide support through networking events, classes, and advisory sessions, Cindy’s confidence and vision for her business grew stronger.
Cindy later received a Waterbury/WBDC Small Business Grant and used the funds to invest in upgraded equipment, expand her service offerings with new digital products, and lay the groundwork for future hiring. Additionally, Cindy utilized part of the grant to obtain industry certifications, further enhancing her expertise and positioning her studio as a leader in the field. With the tools and resources from WBDC, Cindy is now poised to continue expanding CNCO Design Studio and helping more nonprofits and small businesses thrive.
“Go for it—there’s absolutely nothing to lose, and the support WBDC provides along the way is designed to help you succeed,” Cindy said when asked for her advice to fellow entrepreneurs. “One of the biggest hurdles for me was overthinking. I felt like every answer had to be perfect before I could submit my [Waterbury/WBDC Small Business Grant] application. Once I let go of that pressure and simply started writing, everything flowed more naturally. My best advice? Read the grant requirements thoroughly, gather all the necessary documents ahead of time, draft your responses (AI tools can help with grammar and clarity), and schedule a review session with a WBDC Business Advisor before submitting. Their insights were invaluable in strengthening my application.”
Cindy later received a Waterbury/WBDC Small Business Grant and used the funds to invest in upgraded equipment, expand her service offerings with new digital products, and lay the groundwork for future hiring. Additionally, Cindy utilized part of the grant to obtain industry certifications, further enhancing her expertise and positioning her studio as a leader in the field. With the tools and resources from WBDC, Cindy is now poised to continue expanding CNCO Design Studio and helping more nonprofits and small businesses thrive.
“Go for it—there’s absolutely nothing to lose, and the support WBDC provides along the way is designed to help you succeed,” Cindy said when asked for her advice to fellow entrepreneurs. “One of the biggest hurdles for me was overthinking. I felt like every answer had to be perfect before I could submit my [Waterbury/WBDC Small Business Grant] application. Once I let go of that pressure and simply started writing, everything flowed more naturally. My best advice? Read the grant requirements thoroughly, gather all the necessary documents ahead of time, draft your responses (AI tools can help with grammar and clarity), and schedule a review session with a WBDC Business Advisor before submitting. Their insights were invaluable in strengthening my application.”